The Cecil Whig., 1887-12-24

before the superintendent, ana queS-
toned closely, but he would not reveal
why he was in the area, or who the
other cadet, were. The tactical officer
declared he heard several voices.
Every we'll, Mr.. Howard under
stand your desire to shield others, but
you are wrong il this case, sir. And
until you come to a proper feeling in
the matter, you will be confined il the
hight prison.
Before the day was over, the order
was issued confiuing Joe to light prison,
as the room in the barracks i. called
where cadets are locked in for any Sc
we're ofense.
TO make matters worse, he had re-
ceived letter, just as be was gong to
the prison, from home.
He did not read it till after he had
walked up and down the small floor
several times and somewhat composed
himself. 1t was from bis sister, loving
and comforting him tor not going up
the section, but urging him to keep try
ing and success would surely come. 1t
told of ali going on at home, and ended
by saying:
And now, Joe, for piece Of news
that will cheer you: Uncle Tom has
invited mamma and me to visit him in
Now York this winter, and by the time
this reaches you we will be on the way,
and after stopping at Cousin kate's
awhile, we VIII 90 on to West Point, so
as TO bc there on Christmas Day with
you. We have got lots of nice things
for you, and We will have the best kind
of a tImc together. Now, nv dear
brother, let this hold you up till We ar
rive. With loads and loads of love,
rom your ailcCUOnatc ESS.
As he finished the letter he groancd
aloud. To be in prison when they were
here, of all times What would his
mother say 70 him and think of him2
She was 50 proud 0! him, and to fnd
INN in prison.
II would be but three days before
Christmas. How he hated Standiford
for not helping him out of this trouble !
But Standiford-what Of him? He
was obliged to go to the hospital early
the next morning on account OF his an
kle, and it was not till the day was oyer
that he heard Of Joe's arrest. He had
fully expected to be put in arrest him
self as soon as he got off sick report
and out of the hospital.
But this put new light On it all, and
that night, as he lay awake, and tossing,
he saw how noble had been Joe's con-
duct in all.
Perhaps the good Christmas angel
had come to him in advance, and whls-
pered the beautiful words, Peace on
earth, goodwill toward men," or maybe
the thought OF dear mother, now in
her grave, and what she would have him
do, touched nobler chord in the boys
nature, and set it ringing with deter
nination to do right.
However it was, the next morning he
told the surgeon he must see the super
intendent. lie received the permission
necessary, and that very morning the
"supe" knew not only all about Joe's
sacrifice, but also of the stolen prob
lem and before night the whole corps
OF cadets knew something of it, too
for, as the battalion was paraded at
sunset, and the bugles had sent their
last upward notes echoing away to wish
the sun good night, the cadet adjutant
read the following order to the aston
ished cadets:
HEADou RrERs I. =. MILITARY AcADENY,}
DeceinheT a. Isl.
SJ>cial orders No. l43.
l. Cadet Private Howard Fourth Glass U. S.
Military Academy. is released irom confinement
and restored to duty.
IL. it having come to the knowledge OF the
superiRt sudent that Cadet Howard heToicaIy
took punishment upon himself to saws the good
name OF comradc, he is hereby appointed
corporal in the corps OF cadets and will be obeyed
and respected accordingly.
Ill. Cadet Private Howard, Fourth Glass U. s
Military Academy, is hereby transferred from
the third section to the section in mathematics.
by command OF
tf,.t.,